How to Make a Flanged Pillow Cover

Flanged pillows have a decorative border around the edge of the pillow. A flanged pillow cover is a great alternative to a ruffled pillow sham and has a simple, classy look that will compliment any decor. The flange can be made from the same fabric as the body of the pillow cover or from a complementary fabric. Even a novice can easily create a removable flanged pillow sham to place on bed pillows or throw pillows.

Things You'll Need

• Standard bed pillow (20-by-26 inches)
• Main fabric (1 yard)
• Coordinating fabric A (1 yard)
• Coordinating fabric B (1/4 yard)

Instructions

1. Cut one piece of the main fabric 27 inches by 21 inches for the front and two pieces 17 inches by 21 inches for the back. Cut four strips of fabric A to 27 inches by 4 inches for the top and bottom of the flange and four strips measuring 21 inches by 4 inches for the sides of the flange. Cut eight squares of fabric B to 4 inches by 4 inches for the corners of the flange.

2. Lay one of the back pieces with the wrong side of the fabric facing up. Fold one of the 21-inch edges over 1/2 inch and press. Fold over 1/2 inch again and sew a 1/4-inch seam. Repeat for the other back piece.

3. Lay the front piece with the right side of the fabric facing up. Lay one of the 27-inch strips on top with the right side of the fabric facing down and the top edges aligned. Pin in place. Lay another 27-inch strip with the right side of the fabric facing down and the bottom edges aligned. Pin in place. Sew these pieces together using a 1/2-inch seam and press the seam allowances open.

4. Lay the two back pieces with the right sides of the fabric facing up and the hemmed edges overlapping in the middle. Lay one of the remaining 27-inch strips on top with the right side facing down and the top edges aligned. Pin in place. Lay the last 27-inch strip along the bottom edge with the right side facing down and pin in place. Sew together using a 1/2-inch seam. Press the seam allowances open.

5. Lay one of the 21-inch strips with the right side facing up. Lay a corner piece on top with the right side facing down and the top edges aligned. Pin in place. Lay another corner piece on top with the right side facing down and the bottom edges aligned. Pin in place. Sew together using a 1/2-inch seam. Press the seam allowances open. Repeat to assemble the other three side pieces.

6. Lay the front of the pillow cover with the right side facing up. Lay a side strip on top on each side with the right side facing down and the edges aligned. Pin in place, matching the seams on the flange exactly. Sew together with a 1/2-inch seam. Press the seam allowances open. Repeat for the back piece.

7. Lay the fully assembled front piece with the right side facing up. Lay the fully assembled back piece on top with the right side facing down. Pin together matching the seams on the flange exactly. Sew all the way around the outside of the pillow cover with a 1/2-inch seam.

8. Turn the pillow cover right-side-out and press. Pin the front and back together aligning the seams on the front and back as closely as possible.

9. Stitch over the seam between the main fabric and the flange all the way around around. In quilting, this is referred to as "stitch in the ditch."

10. Remove all pins and insert the pillow through the opening in the back.